Quick and Dirty on Diaper Rashes
Here’s everything you want to know about Diaper Rash in about 90 seconds!
For a mild to moderate diaper rash, which looks like redness (or lighter color on darker skin) that is limited to the very top layer of the skin without any true breakdown, slather on a zinc oxide based cream thick – like you’re icing a cake – and don’t wipe it all the way off with diaper changes. You are trying to create a barrier that will last.
The basics: change diapers more often and have some diaper free time during the day to let things air out; if you have been using cloth diapers that aren’t as absorbent, maybe use a disposable high absorbency diaper for a couple days before switching back to cloth when it heals.
For severe diaper rash, where the skin starts to take on a glossy appearance and there is skin breakdown, you can call the pediatrician to start some steroid cream in addition to the above (and/or add in breast milk like I discussed yesterday!)
If the infection looks like it has smaller little satellite lesions around it and is worse in the skin folds than in the exposed area the diaper covers, it could be a yeast infection! You can use a topical antiyeast agent like clotrimazole or miconazole over the counter or one that your pediatrician prescribes.
If there is pus or a honey crusted on top, you have to worry about a superimposed bacterial infection called impetigo - this absolutely requires a pediatrician ASAP! – depending on severity, this can be treated with a topical antibiotic like mupirocin or may require systemic antibiotics. Do NOT use neomycin (like what’s in neosporin) because it can cause an allergic reaction.
Avoid anything with a scent or other potential irritant or allergic potential (like any food-containing oils like coconut oil or cocoa butter) - they can cause more irritation than healing in little babies, or anything with a pain control agent like benzocaine that can be absorbed into babies’ bodies and cause harm. Also strictly avoid baking soda and baby powder to the affected area.
Thanks for watching!
